Middle Eastern Airlines Spearhead Aviation Recovery with Traffic Surge

Middle Eastern carriers are leading the aviation recovery in May with traffic at 17% above 2019 levels, according to a report from International Air Transport Association (IATA). The airlines in the region saw a 31% traffic increase compared to May a year ago. Capacity climbed 25% and the load factor pushed up almost 4 percentage points to 80%. Globally, traffic in May is now at 96% of May 2019 levels.

Carriers registered in the Middle East also witnessed an increase in their passenger load factors, which stood at 80%, while outperforming their 2019 load factors by almost 7 percentage points.

“The strong demand for travel is one element supporting a return to profitability by airlines. In 2023 we expect airlines globally to post a $9.8 billion net profit. But a 1.2% average net profit margin is just $2.25 per departing passenger. As a return, that is not sustainable in the long-term,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general.